Carrier for marine craft hulls and the like



March 16, 1948. J. A. GOOD vCARRIER FOR MARINE CRAFT HULLS AND THE' LIKE Filed Oct. 29, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1v Q o 1\ Q m 1 k u 3 m O n n t\ i n v t n n s; w 15 t@ t N x a f i gw It I; m 3 Q F @i mg r-a N` H c l\ $5 i v w 5 u E w f l @F l Sx Q Y() n N 3m [q l.:' I' N rNvENroR y JAMES A. 6009 b y L K MW LM AT ron Nev;

March 16, 1948.

J. A. GOOD CARRIER FOR MARINE CRAFT HULLS AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Ot. 29, 1945 mvENToR JAMES A. GOOD AT TORNEY March 16, 1948. J. A. soon 2,437,736

CARRIER FOR MARINE CRAFT HULLS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 29, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FISH?.

Q/ |N.\/ENTOR 4 JA MES A. GOOD ATToRNg/s Patented Mar. 16, 1948 NTTED sTATEs PATENT -oFFlcE CARRIER FOR MARINE CRAFT HULLS AND THE LIKE Y James A. Good, Grosse Pointe, Mich.

Application October 29, 1945, Serial No. 625,333

4 Claims. (Cl. 9-1) This invention relates generally to carriers for transporting loads and refers more particularly to an improved carrier for marine hulls.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a carrier composed of a relatively few simple parts capable of being readily assembled and attached to a load for transporting the latter from one point to another.

Although the carrier forming the subject matter of this invention is suitable for transporting various different types of loads, nevertheless, it nds particular utility for conveying boat hulls over land and for launching as well as beaching the hulls. It is, therefore, a further object of this invention to provide a carrier capable of being readily attached vto a boat hull and having ground engaging wheels enabling the hull to be transported over land.

Another object of this invention is to provide a carrier having a supporting bar from which the hull is adapted to be suspended and having ground engaging wheels respectively connected to the opposite ends of the supporting bar by struts having the upper ends rotatably supported on the bar.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a carrier wherein the lower end portion of each strut is connected to the hull at opposite sides of the supporting bar by side braces and wherein the lower ends of the struts are interconnected beneath the hull by a cross brace having means intermediate the ends attachable to the keel of the hull.

A further object of this invention is to provide a carrier wherein the supporting bar, struts and braces are quickly removably connected together to enable readily dismantling the carrier after the hull is launched or when it is desired to free the load from the carrier.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a carrier of the above general type wherein the supporting bar and struts are buoyant or in other words, will float on the water in the event they are accidentally released during dismantling the carrier from the craft subsequent to launching the latter.

Another object of this invention is to provide means at one end of the boat hull enabling the latter to be readily attached to a tractor or other pulling vehicle, so that after the carrier is as- 2 sembled on the hull, the latter may be transported in a manner similar to a trailer.

A further object of this invention is to provide a carrier wherein the supporting bar, struts and braces may be lowered relative to the boat hull to facilitate launching the boat in shallow water.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 11s a side elevational view of a boat hull suspended from a carrier'embodying the features of this invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the construction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of a part of the carrier;

Figure 5 a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the carrier showing one wheel removed for the sake of clearness; and

Figure 7 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the bow of the marine craft showing an arrangement for coupling the craft to a tractor or pulling vehicle.

The carrier forming the subject matter of this invention nds particular utility when employed in connection with hulls for marine craft to assist in beaching, launching or transporting the hulls over the ground. However, it will be noted as this description proceeds, that the carrier may also be used for transporting loads other than marine craft hulls and this should be taken into consideration when interpreting the appended claims.

In several figures of the drawings, I have illustrated a two-wheel carrier i0 applied to a conventional boat hull Il having a bow portion I2 and a stern portion I3, In the present instance, the hull Il is adapted to be power driven, and a suitable power unit i4 is mounted in the stern portion of the hull for this purpose. In general, the power unit comprises a prime mover such as an internal combustion engine i5 and a propeller assembly I6. The propeller assembly comprises a housing il projecting below the bottom of the hull and a propeller I8 operatively connected to the prime mover I 5 in accordance with orthodox practice.

The bow portion I2 of the hull is provided with an attachment I9 which enables coupling the hull to a tractor or other lsuitable pulling vehicle. As shown particularly in Figure '7, the attachment I9 comprises a bracket 2i) having a portion 2| extending upwardly along the bow I2 and having a portion 22 extending along the bottom surface of the hull I I. The portions 2| and 22 are permanently secured in place by fastener elements 23. A suitable nipple 24 is welded or otherwise permanently secured to the bracket 20 at the juncture of the portion 2| with the portion 22 and this nipple is internally threaded for detachably receiving a coupling member 25. The

coupling member 25 has a spherical .portion 2G which engages in a socket 21 formed in av hitch.

28 having a portion attachable to a part of the tractor or pulling vehicle shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

for rotation in opposite directions and thereby permits threading the coupling member 25 into or removing the same from the nipple 24. A hand wheel 29 is secured to the member 25 adjacentthe spherical portion 26 in a position to enable conveniently manipulating the coupling member to attach the latter to or remove the same from the hull Il.

The two wheeled carrier I0 is adapted to support the hull at such an elevation from the ground that the clearance between the propeller I3 and the ground is atleast the same as the road clearance of the pulling vehicle. As will be presently described, thecarrier actually suspends the hull intermediate the ends of the latter in such a manner that substantially the entire load of the hull is supported by the carrier rather than by the pulling vehicle. With this in View, reference is now made more in detail to the construction of the carrier III. In general, the carrier comprises a tubular crossAV bar 30, a pair of ground engaging wheels 3| and a pair of tubular struts 32 respectively connecting the ground engaging wheels to opposite ends of the cross bar 33.

The cross bar 30 is adaptedto extend transversely over the top of the boat hull Il intermediate the ends of the latter and the hull II is suspended from the bar 30 by means of a pair of brackets 33. The brackets 33 are respectively detachably secured to opposite sides of the boat hull by means of suitable wing nuts 34 and are provided with upwardly extending portions having aligned openings therethrough for receiving the tubular cross bar 30. In some instances, it may be desirable to reinforce opposite sides of the boat hull so that the stresses resulting from transporting the boat hull over the ground may be taken without damaging the hull, In the present instance, a plate 31 is secured to each side of the hull and is connected to gusset members 38 by means of braces 39. If desired, opposite edges of the `plates 31 ymay also be connected to the ribs 36 "of the hull by means of straps 35 formed integral with the plates 31 or secured thereto in any suitable manner. The gusset members 38 are respectively secured to the lower end Aportions of the ribs and to the adjacent portions of the chine 48. In instances where opposite sides of the hull are reinforced in the above manner, the brackets 33 are respectively secured to the plates 31 by the readily detachable wing nuts 34.

The spherical portion 26 on the, coupling member 25 is supported in the socket 21 The struts 32 are each provided with a vertically extending tubular member 4| having a Isleeve 42 welded or otherwise secured to the upper end thereof. The axis of the sleeve 42 at the upper end of each strut extends at right angles to the axis of the vertical member 4| and the internal diameter of the sleeve is suiciently greater than the external diameter of the tubular cross bar 33 to enable telescoping the sleeve on the bar 30. The arrangement is such as to permit rotatably supporting the struts 32 on opposite ends of the cross bar 30 and, at the same time, permit the struts to be readily removed from the cross bar. When the carrier is in operation, the struts 32 are held in assembled relation with the cross bar and against rotation relalbifurcated and the furcations 44 are spaced from each other to receive a ground engaging wheel `3| therebetween. The lower ends of the furcations are provided with aligned openings 45 for receiving opposite ends of the axle 46 of the ground engaging wheel and the axle is secured to the furcations by nuts 41 respectively threaded on opposite ends of the axle 46, Thus, it will be seen that eachstrut 32 has a ground engaging wheel 3| rotatably supported on the lower end thereof.

When the struts with their respective ground engaging wheels are assembled on opposite ends of the cross bar 30, they assume positions at opposite sides of the hull Il and the length ofy the struts is 'such `as to support the hull from the ground at the desired or speciiied elevation. The lower end of e'ach strut is connected to the hull II by a pair 'of braces 46 and' 41. The lower ends of` the frontbraces 46 at each side of the hull are formed with hooks 48 which respectively detachably engage the struts 32 adjacent the lower ends of the tubular members 4|. As shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, the struts 32 arev provided with laterally extending ears 50 at the front sides of the members 4| and the ears are formed with openings 5I .for receiving the hooks 48. The upper ends of the front braces 46 are respectively attached to opposite sides of the hullin advance of the crossv bar 30 by means of pins52. In the event, the hull isprovided with a front pair of oar-lock'sn53, the pinsEZfm'ay be engaged in the oar-locks 53 to anchor the upper ends of the braces 46 to the hull.

The lower ends of the rear braces 41 are also formed with hooks 54 which are respectively detachably connected to the struts 32 opposite the hooks 48 on the front braces. Referring again to Figure 6A of the. drawings, it will be noted that the strutsare respectively provided with laterally extending ears 55a't 'the rear sides having openings 56 for receiving the hooks54. The upper ends of the rear braces 41 :are respectively secured to the hull rearwardly of the cross bar 30 by means of. pins 51. These pins are' shown inthe present illustration as anchored iin the rear set of oar locks 58 on the boat hull. Thus, thestruts 32 are. effectively braceda'nd arenormally preventedfrom rotation relative tothe 'cross bar 3o.

The struts '3'2 are interconnected below the hull I I by :a tubular cross brace 60 .having a channel shaped clip '6l secured to the top of the brace intermediate the ends of the latter and adapted opposite ends of the cross brace 6D are 'closed by plugs 65 having lugs-65 projecting beyond the ends of the brace 60 and having pins 66 re- The pins 66 are normally held in engagement with theirrespective ears 68 by sleeves 64 slidably supported on opposite ends of the brace 6U and normally urged to the position shown in Figure by coil springs 69 supported on the brace 6i! at the inner ends of the sleeves. The inner ends of the springs abut suitable washers 13 iixed to the brace 60 and the outer ends of the springs, respectively engage the inner ends of the sleeves 64. The sleeves :are retained on the cross brace 6U by pins 1l anchored in the plugs 65 and having projecting end portions engageable in elongated slots 12 formed in the sleeves 64. The above arrangement is such that when the cross brace G is in assembled relation with the struts 32, the pins 66 and associated ears E8 on the struts 32 :are enclosed in the outer ends of the sleeves and cannot become accidently disengaged. The cross brace 60 may be readily removed by merely shifting the sleeves 64 inwardly against the action of the springs 69 to expose the pins 66 whereupon the latter may be withdrawn from the openings 61 in the ears 68 on the struts by shifting the brace laterally relative to the struts.

It has previously been stated that the cross bar 30, struts 32, side braces 46, 41 and cross brace 60 are tubular in cross section. All of these parts are plugged or otherwise sealed, so that they are buoyant :and Will float on the water. Y

This feature is advantageous especially when the carrier is employed in connection with marine craft, because if one or more of these parts should be accidently released as the carrier is being disassembled after sthe craft is launched in `the water, it may be readily retrieved. Moreover, all of the above parts may be readily assembled and disassembled without the use of wrenches or other tools. Furthermore, the nature of the connections between the various parts is such that once assembled, they will not become accidently disengaged even when the carrier is operated over adverse. road conditions.

In use, assuming that the carrier I0 is assembled with a marine hull and that it is desired to launch the latter from the land, the operator first removes the coupling member 25 from the bracket 2i) on the bow portion l2 of the hull. This is accomplished by manipulating the hand wheel 29 to unscrew the coupling member from the nipple 24 on the bracket 20. The cross brace 60 is then removed from the struts 32 in the manner previously stated and the side braces 46 and 41 may also be disengaged from the hull, if desired. In some instances, however, it may be expedient to maintain the side braces in assembled relation until the hull is launched. In any event, launching of the craft may be readily accomplished by merely supporting the bow of the boat and rolling the carrier with the boat suspended therefrom into the water. As soon as the depth of the water becomes sufficient to float the boat, the carrier l il may be readily dismantled by rst disengaging the upper ends of the side braces from the hull and then detaching the struts 32 from opposite ends of the bar 30. After the side braces are removed from engagement with the hull, they are swung upwardly to positions adjacent opposite sides of their respective struts and are retained in place by spring clamps 15 secured to opposite sides of the struts adjacent the upper ends of the latter. The cross bar 30 may then 6 be detached from the hull by removing the 'braakets 33 and the boat is ready for operation.

When it is desired to beach or withdraw the craft from the water, the brackets 33 with the cross bar 30 is assembled on the boat while the latter is floating. The struts 32 with the wheels thereon are then assembled on opposite ends of the bar 30 and the upper ends of the side braces are attached to opposite sides of the hull in the manner -above stated. After the carrier is assembled on the boat, the latter is withdrawn from the water and the bottom cross brace 60 is installed. rIhe bow I2 of the boat may then be assembled with the hitch I9 on the tractor or pulling vehicle by merely threading the coupling member 25 into the nipple 24 on the bow bracket 20.

When launching the boat, it may be desirable in some instances to lower the hull relative to the carrier. This may be accomplished by disengaging the upper ends of the side braces from the hull and permitting the struts 32 to swing about the cross bar 30. The extent of swinging movement of the struts 32 may be controlled by chains, ropes or cables Tl having the lower ends connected to the struts 32 adjacent the lower ends and having the upper ends respectively connected to opposite sides of the hull.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A carrier for a load comprising ground engaging wheels respectively positioned at opposite sides of the load, a bar spaced above the wheels and extending in the general direction of the axis of rotation of the wheels, means engageable with the bar for suspending the load from the bar between the ground engaging wheels, struts removably supported by the bar at opposite sides of the load and having means at the lower ends respectively rotatably supporting the ground engaging wheels, a cross brace extending between the lower end portions of the struts, and having means at opposite ends respectively attachable to the struts, and releasable means for locking the brace in engagement with the struts. 2. A carrier for marine craft having a hull, comprising a bar adapted to extend transversely of the hull above the latter, a pair of vertical struts having the upper ends respectively connected to opposite ends of the bar, a pair of ground engaging wheels respectively rotatably supported on the lower ends of the struts, means on the bar for suspending the hull from the bar, and a cross brace extending between the lower end portions of the struts and having means intermediate the ends engageable with the keel of the hull.

3. A carrier for marine craft having a hull, comprising a bar adapted to extend transversely of the hull above the latter, a pair of vertical struts having the upper ends respectively supported on opposite ends of the bar for rocking movement about the axis of the bar, a pair of ground engaging Wheels respectively rotatably supported on the lower ends of the struts, means engagea-ble with the bar for suspending the hull from said bar between the struts, side braces having the lower ends pivoted to the lower end of each strut and having the upper ends attachable to the hull at opposite sides of the bar in spaced relation to said bar, a cross brace extending between the lower ends of the struts and having the opposite ends removably connected to the struts, and means on the cross brace intermediate the ends thereof removably attachable to the keel of the hull.

17 .8 4. A carrier for marnepcraft having@i hu11'prllEEERPHQCES .CITED vided with longitudinally Spaced oar 10c-ks at era-ch The vfollowing `references are of record :ln the side, comprising aflbar adapted Lto extend trans- A Versely of the hull between the oar loks, a pgir 'le -of this patent' of vertical struts having the ,upper ends 4respecl5 UNITED STATES PATENTS tively Supported 0n Opposite endsvof thebar, -:1 Number Name Date pair of ground engaging wheels respectively lro- 1303591 Temp,L et a] May 13'l 1919 tatably supportedron thelower ends of the struts, 1,939,953 Sewer 1399,19, 1933 and side braces havingthe lpwerends `pvotedto 2,942,598 Harvey June 2, 1933 the lower end of each strut and having -therupper 1o 2,171,939 Payson Sept, 5, 1939 ends respectively engageable `in ythe oar lgcks at 2,190,358 Henrichsen et al. Feb r13 1940 OPPOSlte sldes 0f the Dar- 2,194,964 Willson Mar. 26, 1940 .m1/mis A. G QQD. 2,219,254 Davis 001211940 

